The Vine and the Branches

John 15: 1 – 5 (NIV): "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

These are among the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples. He said this the night before he was crucified. He was giving them some of their final instructions before he completed his ministry on earth. He knew how important it was that the disciples did not split into eleven churches with eleven ideas about salvation. He knew how important it was that the disciples continue to receive their strength and authority from him and him alone.

In his illustration, Jesus is using a common agriculture picture that his hearers readily understood. They knew that branches of a grape vine, or any other type of vine, could not survive on their own. Branches must be connected to the vine to receive nutrients. If you cut away a branch from the vine, the branch will wither and die without exception. If you try to create a church or ministry that is not connected to the words and power of Jesus, you are doomed to failure. Jesus is and will remain the central figure in the true church of God.

Further, branches that bear no fruit will be cut off by the gardener, God. This is the pruning process of God's church in History. Churches that remain in Christ will bear fruit for him, while those that do not will die off. The same applies to individuals – we cannot bear fruit in ministry apart from the gospel of Jesus. It was critical that the disciples understood this as the church was beginning, but it's important for us to remember today too.

One last thing: Jesus said successful branches will be pruned. God will lop away parts of our lives that hinder us. This is unpleasant at the time, but makes us better, more mature, and more effective as Christians.